A METHOD, AN APPARATUS AND A PROGRAM FOR PREPARING AND DISPENSING A MASS CONSISTING OF A PLURALITY OF BASIC COMPONENTS

Abstract: Method for preparing and dispensing a predetermined quantity of liquid or pasty coloured mass consisting of a plurality of basic components, the ratio of the composite basic components of which mass is known, which method comprises the following steps of: (1) providing a number of first containers which are each at least partially filled with a mass consisting of one or more basic components, the ratio of the basic components of which mass is known; (2) determining the quantity of mass in each first container; (3) determining the individual mass of each basic component in each first container on the basis of the data known according to step (1) and the result of the determination according to step (2); (4) providing a number of second containers which are each at least partially filled with a mass consisting of one basic component; (5) optionally determining the quantity of mass in each second container; (6) determining a desired quantity of mass consisting of at least one basic component, the ratio of the composite basic components of which mass is known; (7) removing mass from the first and/or second containers and pouring mass into a receiving container on the basis of the results of steps (2), (3) and (5) such that making use of the greatest possible amount of mass from the first containers these quantities of basic components are poured into the receiving container which provide therein the quantity of mass with the desired ratio of the composite basic components desired according to step (6).

Description: A METHOD, AN APPARATUS AND A PROGRAM FOR PREPARING AND DISPENSING A MASS CONSISTING OF A PLURALITY OF BASIC COMPONENTS The invention lies in the field of preparing and dispensing in accordance with the wish of a user a liquid or pasty, coloured mass which consists of a plurality of basic components. The re-use of masses is known, wherein containers with mass which can be designated as return mass are stored in a storage area. In the preparation of a new coloured mass an assessment is made on the basis of program control as to which return mass is suitable for re-use. Use is made for this purpose of so-called "numer¬ ical recalculation" . It is further known to collect and classify by colour return masses and to determine the possible composition on the basis of spectrophotometry and to subsequently reprocess the relevant mass to a desired composition. The object of the invention is to provide a method which also enables use of return masses in the prepara¬ tion of new, coloured masses, wherein the returned masses can be re-used quickly, such that the generally limited storage life of these masses no longer represents an obstacle. In this respect the invention has the object that the speeds at which return masses can be collected and added during preparation are so high that an appara¬ tus according to the invention can operate in line with a production installation and can even increase the prepa¬ ration speed. In order to realize this objective the invention provides the method according to claim 1. This method can be implemented with the apparatus according to claim 3. In a particular embodiment the method can comprise the steps according to claim 2. The invention also relates to a control program according to claim 4 which forms part of the apparatus of claim 2 such that the apparatus performs the method according to claim 1. This control program is based on the flow diagram as according to the annexed figure 2. The method according to the invention is based on the insight that it is often possible to use at least a part of returned masses to make new masses. In accordance with the method proposed by the inven¬ tion, all masses which are already prepared or will be prepared in the near future are analyzed wholly by means of software as to the basic components present therein and the ratio of these basic components. The number of possible combinations is very large, the number of possi¬ ble ratios is even infinite. A limited number of combina¬ tions with permitted ratios between the composite basic components can be selected with the relevant analysis. The fact as to whether or not a ratio forms part of the selection can be predetermined on the basis of detecta- bility criteria. As an example of an application can be mentioned the preparation of ink for printing machines. The starting point for preparing colours of practi¬ cally any desired composition can be a plurality of ten to twenty basic components. Depending on the desired colour of the printing ink, use can be made of a suitable number of basic components in predetermined ratio. It is noted that for the sake of brevity no reference is made to additives such as thickening agents, water and possi¬ bly necessary chemicals which for instance provide the adhesion of the ink to the fabric or fibre material for printing. Essential for the "management system" according to the invention is that each receiving container, which is later returned as the first container referred to in claim 1, is followed by the system, or is at least iden¬ tifiable at any necessary moment. During preparation of the mass the composition thereof is established and linked inseparably to the relevant container in which the mass is prepared. This inseparable link can be estab¬ lished on the one hand by using containers with their own unique identification or alternatively through identifi- cation of the mass present in a container, for instance by using a photospectrometer. After the mass has been designated a remnant, the mass is recognized by the system on the basis of the container in which it is located. The control of the apparatus determines whether, and if so, to which collecting vessel the mass, given its composition, can be added. The mass is subsequently is added to this collected mass. The weight of the added mass is measured so that the new composition of the collected mass can also be calculated. In the preparation of the new masses an assessment is made on the basis of the program in the control means as to which basic components are present therein and whether this combination also occurs in one or more of the collected masses. Should this be the case, it is then determined with the above mentioned numerical recalcula¬ tion from which collected mass the largest quantity can be added during preparation. If necessary the relevant collected mass is first homogenized, whereafter as much of the collected mass is dosed such that one of the basic components is already present in the maximum quantity. The other pure basic components are then admixed until the mass has the desired composition. This composition is then inseparably linked again to the relevant container. The use of containers with their own unique identi- fication has the advantage that no complicated software is necessary to permanently follow the progress of a container. This also avoids loss of identification in the case of malfunction. It will be apparent that it is greatly to be recommended that each container carries its own identification device such as a strip code, a dot code, a transponder or any other suitable device. An important objective of the invention is the re¬ use of masses which must be deemed remnants and which can no longer, or only with the greatest difficulty and inherent inaccuracy, be decomposed into the composite basic components. Many masses have in addition a limited storage life, or the quantities in which they are pre¬ pared are such that known reprocessing methods are not applicable. Masses are used which are composed of basic compo¬ nents, wherein preparation of these masses is controlled from the location where the masses are used, for instance a printing machine. After homogenizing the mass can no longer be decomposed into the basic components. The storage life of the masses is generally short, so that it is not possible to wait for re-use until a mass with the same composition is once again required. The requisite speeds at which masses are prepared are too high to re-use the remnant or return masses per container by means of numerical recalculation. A known instrument as a spectrophotometer is not necessary according to the invention. Such instruments are in any case relatively expensive, time-consuming and inaccurate. According to the invention all masses which are prepared or will be prepared in the near future are analyzed on a software basis as to the basic components present therein. The number of possible combinations of basic components present is very large. With the relevant analysis a limited number of combinations can be selected which are returned and prepared. The selected combina¬ tions change over a period of time, this as a result of changes in pattern. The composition of any produced mass is recorded by a central control unit. The receiving container is also provided with its own identification device, so that at any desired moment can be determined which container is situated at which location. The central control unit contains the necessary data relating to the composition of the mass present in the relevant container. After a mass has been designated as remnant, the mass is recognized by the system by means of the identi¬ fication device carried by the container. Thereafter is determined whether the combination of the basic compo- nents present therein forms part of for instance a much used combination. If this is the case the remnant or return mass is added to other remnants in which the same combinations occur. On the basis of the above stated numerical recalculation the composition of the mass which results from these mixings is in each case determined and stored in the memory. It will be apparent that the system also remembers in which container or containers the relevant mass is located. In the preparation of new masses a program-based assessment is made as to which basic components are present therein and whether these combinations also occur in any of the collected masses. Should this be the case, the collected mass is then homogenized and precisely as much of the collected mass is dosed that one of the basic components is already present in the maximum available quantity. The other pure basic components are admixed until the mass has the desired composition. The produced mass is coded again so that the return remnants thereof can be identified again and deployed for re-use. The system according to the invention provides the option of a fully automatic preparation of mixtures of basic components with a very high degree of re-use of return masses. Attention is drawn to the fact that although the system according to the invention focusses on full auto¬ mation, the method can if desired also be performed manually or in other manner. The invention will be elucidated with reference to the annexed figures. Herein: figure 1 shows a diagram of the invention; figure 2 shows a flow diagram which can form the basis of the program control of an apparatus for perform¬ ing the method according to the invention; figure 3 shows a possible arrangement in block diagram form; figure 4 shows a highly schematic top view of an apparatus according to the invention; figure 5 is a highly schematic top view of another embodiment; figure 6 is a highly schematic top view of a part of an alternative; and figure 7 shows a highly schematic perspective view of a part of an apparatus according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a total system, wherein the system according to the invention is designated with block 1. Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a program which controls an apparatus according to the invention for performing the method according to the invention. The program is built up as follows: A. Analysis of possible basic component combinations at the choice of the user. Resulting from this analysis is a list of all combinations which are produced or will be produced in the future. The produced quantity and/or frequency of use per combination can also be displayed. B. The generation of a quantity of return masses. On the basis of actually measured quantities of return mass or on the basis of the average quantity of return mass per prepared mass the quantity of return mass and the composition thereof per combination is determined over a period of time. C. The generation of a usable quantity of return mass. Herein is simulated that the return masses are also actually collected and are thus also available for deliv¬ ery. It is determined per preparation performed in the relevant time period, given the quantity of produced mass, how much hereof can be prepared from the available generated return mass. The relevant time period is the same as that of the simulation of the collection. D. Various operations result in a list with basic component combinations, wherein the quantity of mass which can be made or could have been made from the return masses per combination is known as a percentage of the total mass. The above stated four stages are deemed essential. The following two stages are possible refinements or options. E. The following step is a refinement of the mixing of basic component combinations. A combination consisting of the components A and B can be added during collection to the components A, B and C. For all possible mixtures the program calculates what the effect thereof is on the total re-used quantity of return mass, given a fixed number of permitted basic component combinations. The combination is only selected in the case of an increase. F. A final refining step is the dividing of basic component combinations. A combination which on average consists of x% A, y% B and z% C is divided into a combi¬ nation of A, B and C, in which the percentage A is small- er than x/2 (or another fraction) , and a combination A, B and C, in which the percentage A is greater than x/2 (or the said other fraction) . The effects hereof on the total re-used quantity are calculated. This is done for each basic component within the combination. If, as a result of the division, given a fixed number of allowed combina¬ tions, more mass can be re-used, the division with the greatest positive effect is then added. This step is repeated for all possible combinations. Figure 3 shows by way of example a possible arrange- ment. Attention is drawn to the fact that the spectropho- tometer according to the invention included in the block diagram of figure 3 is not an essential measuring instru¬ ment, but can if desired be used for performing a rough, for instance random, check. Figure 4 shows an apparatus 2 according to the invention. Containers 3 are fed via a conveyor belt 4 to a weighing and emptying station 5. Making use of a so- called traversing carriage 6 which is guided over rails 7, the containers 3 can be transported to and from a vertical vessel washer, a push-out member 7, a cover washer 8, a cover placer 9, a colour checking station 10, a mixer 11, a collecting station 12, 13 for vessels. A washing station 15 is placed along a conveyor belt 14 which connects onto the unit 5. Figure 5 shows an example of a printing device. A turntable or rearranging platform 16 transports vessels 17 to and from pick and place units which are all desig¬ nated 18 for the sake of convenience. Designated 19 are suction and scraping stations for containers. In a weigh- ing station 20 the containers are weighed to determine the weight of the mass present therein. Through reading of the identification device present on each container by means of a reader 21 the relevant container can be speci¬ fied unambiguously. The coding which is read by the reader is supplied as address to the memory of a central processor unit (not drawn) which thereby has available sufficient information to be able to apply the relevant masses directly or for re-use. Designated schematically are conveyors 22, 23 which can feed the respective con- tainers to printing machines 24, 25. Figure 6 shows an arrangement with a conveyor belt 26 for containers 27. Three pick and place units are grouped round a turntable 28. Mixing units are designated with 29. The reference numeral 30 refers to a dosing unit. Finally, figure 7 shows a conveyor 31 which trans¬ ports vessels 32 to respective dosing stations 32, 33, 34 under the control of a central control unit. Each dosing station comprises a cover 35 with a suction line 36 for supplying printing ink to an associated printing station 37, 38, 39 respectively. *****

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method for automatically preparing and dispensing a predetermined quantity of liquid or pasty coloured mass consisting of a plurality of basic components, the ratio of the composite basic components of which mass is known, which method comprises the following steps, to be per¬ formed in suitable sequence under the control of control means, such as a PLC, a computer, a microprocessor or the like driven by a program, of: (1) providing a number of first containers which are each at least partially filled with a liquid or pasty mass consisting of one or more basic components, the ratio of the composite basic components of which mass is known; (2) determining the quantity, for instance the weight, of the mass in each first container; (3) determining the individual mass of each basic component in each first container on the basis of the data known according to step (1) and the result of the determination according to step (2) ; (4) providing a number of second containers which are each at least partially filled with a liquid or pasty mass consisting of one basic component; (5) optionally determining the quantity of mass in each second container; (6) determining a desired quantity of liquid or pasty mass consisting of at least one basic component, the ratio of the composite basic components of which mass is known; (7) removing mass from the first and/or second containers and pouring mass into a receiving container on the basis of the results of steps (2) , (3) and (5) such that making use of the greatest possible amount of mass from the first containers this quantity or quantities of basic component (s) is/are poured into the receiving container which provide therein the quantity of mass with the desired ratio of the composite basic components desired according to step (6) ; and (8) optionally mixing together or otherwise homoge¬ nizing the mass in the receiving container. 2. Method as claimed in claim 1 for automatically collecting a liquid or pasty coloured mass consisting of a plurality of basic components, the ratio of the compos¬ ite basic components of which mass is known, which method comprises the following steps, to be performed in suit- able sequence under the control of control means driven by a program, of: (9) providing a number of first containers which are each at least partially filled with a liquid or pasty coloured mass consisting of one or more basic components, the ratio of the composite basic components of which mass is known; (10) providing a second container which is optional¬ ly at least partially filled with a liquid or pasty coloured mass consisting of one or more basic components, whereof the individual mass of each of the composite basic components is known; (11) emptying the first containers one by one into the second container, wherein on the basis of a deter¬ mined increase in the weight thereof the quantity of added mass is determined; (12) determining the added individual mass of each basic component in the second container according to step (10) on the basis of the data relating to the composition known according to (9) and the added mass known from step (11) ; (13) determining the actual individual masses in the second container on the basis of the individual masses according to step (10) and according to step (12) ; and (14) optionally mixing together or otherwise homoge- nizing the mass in the second container. 3. Apparatus for performing the method as claimed in claim 1 for preparing and dispensing a predetermined quantity of liquid or pasty mass consisting of at least one basic component, the ratio of the composite basic components of which mass is known, which apparatus com¬ prises : (1) first supply means for supplying and if neces¬ sary making accessible first containers which are each at least partially filled with a liquid or pasty mass con¬ sisting of one or more basic components, the ratio of the composite basic components of which mass is known; (2) first determining means for determining the quantity, for instance the weight, of the mass in each first container; (3) second determining means for determining the individual mass of each basic component in each first container on the basis of the quantities and ratios stated under (1) in addition to the result of the deter- mination stated under (2) ; (4) second supply means for supplying and/or making accessible a number of second containers which are each at least partially filled with a liquid or pasty mass consisting of one basic component; (5) optional third determining means for determining the quantity of mass in each second container; (6) memory means with data input means for storing data relating to a desired quantity of liquid or pasty mass consisting of at least one basic component as well as the ratio of the composite basic components; and (7) control means driven by a program which are connected for receiving information to the outputs of the first determining means, the second determining means and the optionally present third determining means for remov- ing mass from the first and/or second containers and pouring mass into a receiving container such that making use of the greatest possible amount of mass from the first containers this quantity or quantities of basic component (s) is/are poured into the receiving container which provide therein the quantity of mass with the desired ratio of the composite basic components desired according to step (6) ; and (8) optional homogenizing means for homogenizing, for instance by mixing together, the mass in the receiv- ing container. 4. Control program for the apparatus as claimed in claim 2, which program is based on the flow diagram as according to figure 2. *****

Inventors: BOERSMA MAARTEN GERARD, GERRITSE JAN, BOERSMA, MAARTEN, GERARD, GERRITSE, JAN
Applicants: BOERSMA MAARTEN GERARD, GERRITSE BEHEER BV, GERRITSE JAN, BOERSMA, MAARTEN, GERARD, GERRITSE BEHEER B.V., GERRITSE, JAN
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B41F15
IPC codes: B01F13, B41F15, B41F31